Phil Campbell hires new police chief

With the retirement of long-time chief Merrell Potter at the end of May, the Phil Campbell Police Department has been handling the month of June without an official leader. But next week that will change.

The Phil Campbell Police Department has voted to appoint Joe Fite, currently the assistant chief at Courtland, as Phil Campbell police chief.

“He comes to us with a lot of experience that we think will fit well with us,” said Mayor Steve Bell. From some 15-18 applications, Bell said several applicants were interviewed. Fite proved to be the best fit for the PC department. “We felt he was one of very few who had the supervisory experience and management that goes along with being the chief.”

Bell said the council felt Fite would bring the same servant mentality and operating procedures that Potter brought to the town.

Fite, a resident of Franklin County, is working a two-week notice and will join the PC department around the end of the month, Bell said.

Bell said the transition period has gone smoothly, with no complaints from the community of any lapse in service or protection. The department has also hired an additional full-time employee, Kent Hallman, formerly with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and Bell said another full-time employee might be hired in the near future, once Fite is in place to have input on applications.